Silver will now try to force Sterling to sell the team. And he's fining Sterling $2.5 million for racist comments he allegedly made in a recorded conversation -- in which he's heard apparently telling a female companion that she shouldn't "broadcast" the fact that she's "associating with black people."

New Orleans Pelicans owner Tom Benson will be one of the owners voting on forcing Sterling to sell the franchise.

Benson released the following statement Tuesday afternoon:

“In light of the serious matter facing our league, a matter that transcends sports, the New Orleans Pelicans fully support the decisions made today by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and will fully support his recommendations moving forward.”

Dilliard University basketball coach Bernard Griffith, who spent time as an NBA assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks said following the decision, “2014. And we still have not overcome. Mr. Sterling’s comments in regard to minorities is an embarrassment for all people. The NBA and all sport venues moved from discrimination under the vail of sportsmanship where the athletes do not judge an individual by the color of his skin but by the content of his character and the athletic skills that one has developed.”

“We have come so far but yet we still have so far to go," Griffith said.

Former NBA star Magic Johnson, who is referenced in the taped conversation, says Silver "showed great leadership" in banning Sterling for life.

Current star LeBron James of the Miami Heat tweeted his thanks to Silver for protecting the NBA by taking the action against the Clippers owner. James called the commissioner a "great leader."

As for the Clippers, the team's website has a simple message that reads, "We are one." The team issued a statement saying, "We wholeheartedly support and embrace the decision by the NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver today." It said, "Now the healing process begins."